Ancient Mosque Dating to the First Hijri Century Discovered in Al-Baha
The Saudi Heritage Authority announced the discovery of an ancient mosque over 1,300 years old at the Al-Ma'ama archaeological site in Al-Baha, as part of the fourth phase of the excavation project.
Discovery details
The mosque, constructed with finely cut granite blocks, lies within a western residential area of the site. Its walls measure 16 m north‑south and 10 m east‑west, featuring a distinctive layout for the mihrab, entrances, and minaret.
Islamic inscriptions adorn the walls, including a prayer for the Prophet Muhammad. Adjacent stone rooms served social and commercial functions, equipped with storerooms, basins, and supports that reflect local building techniques.
Archaeological context
The research team recorded a variety of artifacts such as soapstone vessels, diverse pottery, carved stone tools like scrapers, pestles, and parts of a hand‑mill, shedding light on daily life and craftsmanship of the ancient inhabitants.
Al‑Baha is renowned for its archaeological richness, historically yielding gold, silver and copper, and offering evidence of early mining technologies.
This find is expected to deepen historical knowledge of the region and bolster Saudi heritage preservation efforts.
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